Olympus E-3 User Manual page 32

twice to highlight the metering icon. If you now press
the OK button again you will see an options screen
whereupon you can set the desired metering pattern
by using the LEFT/RIGHT arrow pads. Alternatively,
you can turn the main input dial to highlight the
option you want. Press either the shutter button or
the OK button to confirm your selection.
POWER USER TIP: The author and most professional users of the E-3
suggest that you get into the habit of using the function button plus the
main/sub input dial to make selections. Alternatively, if using the super
control panel get into the habit of using the input dials to change and
the shutter button to confirm selections as these options offer the
fastest methods of changing settings on the camera.
ELECTRO SELECTIVE PATTERN EXPLAINED
The ESP metering system utilises a look-up table stored in the
camera's on-board computer to match the pattern of light/dark
areas in the scene being photographed to representative patterns
and exposure combinations obtained from analyzing thousands of
photographs. The scene in the E-3 viewfinder is divided into 49
zones and each zone is measured individually to build-up a
pattern of light/dark zones. This pattern is then "matched" to one
in the memory and the appropriate exposure setting for the
particular pattern, ISO setting and lens is then referenced.
For most difficult lighting situations one might encounter,
especially in contrasty backlit situations, the ESP system is pretty
much bang-on every time. This holds true for most horizontal
compositions and most vertical compositions. However, there are
times when the system can be fooled because your main point of
interest is simply too small and too dark and/or too bright and
too small (in relation to the rest of the scene) and the measured
pattern yields a fairly even range of light values. This is especially
applicable to small subjects which are placed against an evenly lit
background that is a number of light values different to the main
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